Sudden Hearing Loss in One Ear: Why It Needs Urgent Medical Attention

AudiologyOctober 6, 20266 min read

Sudden hearing loss is an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing that happens all at once or over a few days, usually in one ear. It should be treated as a medical emergency: if you notice it, see a doctor immediately rather than waiting to see whether it clears up.

Time matters because, according to the US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), treatment that is delayed by more than two to four weeks is less likely to reverse or reduce permanent hearing loss. Many people mistake sudden hearing loss for a blocked ear, a cold or water in the ear, and lose valuable days.

What is sudden hearing loss?

Doctors often call it sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or sudden deafness. "Sensorineural" means the problem is in the inner ear or the hearing nerve, not a blockage in the ear canal or middle ear. In many cases no specific cause is found, which is part of the reason it needs prompt medical assessment.

What can it feel like?

People describe sudden hearing loss in different ways. Common experiences include:

Waking up to find that one ear cannot hear properly
Noticing it when using the phone on one side
A loud "pop" just before hearing drops
A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, as if it were blocked
Ringing, buzzing or hissing in the affected ear (tinnitus)
Dizziness or a spinning sensation in some cases
Sounds seeming distorted or muffled on one side

Because the ear can feel blocked, it is easy to assume it is just wax or a cold. That assumption is the main reason people delay.

Is it a blocked ear or sudden hearing loss?

A blocked ear from wax, water or congestion and sudden hearing loss can feel similar, and you cannot reliably tell them apart at home. Wax usually builds up gradually, while sudden sensorineural hearing loss comes from the inner ear and needs medical treatment. Only an examination of the ear and a hearing test can show the difference. For more on wax, see Ear Wax and Hearing: When a Blocked Ear Affects Your Hearing.

If you are not sure, treat it as potentially urgent and get checked. It is far better to be reassured that it was wax than to miss the window for treatment.

What should you do straight away?

See a doctor immediately, ideally the same day. An ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or an emergency department is appropriate. Explain clearly that your hearing dropped suddenly.
Do not put anything in your ear (cotton buds, oils or drops) to try to clear it unless a doctor tells you to.
Note the details: when you noticed it, which ear, whether it happened all at once or over a few days, and any other symptoms such as dizziness, ringing or recent illness.
Have a hearing test as advised by your doctor. A hearing test helps confirm the type of hearing loss and gives a baseline to measure any change.

Do not try to treat sudden hearing loss yourself, and do not take any medicine for it unless it has been prescribed for you after a medical assessment.

How is sudden hearing loss assessed and treated?

A doctor will usually examine the ears and arrange a hearing test to confirm that the loss is sensorineural and to measure how much hearing has been lost. Further tests may be suggested to look for a cause. Treatment decisions are made by the doctor based on the individual case; this article cannot advise on any specific treatment.

Our hearing test service can carry out a full hearing assessment, and you can share the results with your doctor. However, if your hearing has dropped suddenly, please see a doctor first and without delay.

Does hearing come back?

According to the NIDCD, about half of people with sudden deafness recover some or all of their hearing spontaneously, usually within one to two weeks. That also means many people do not fully recover without help, which is why prompt medical assessment is so important.

If some hearing loss remains, support is available. An audiologist can discuss options, which may include hearing aids for the affected ear or other solutions for hearing loss in one ear. For a broader overview, see Hearing Loss: Types, Causes, Signs and What to Do Next.

When to see a specialist

Seek medical attention immediately if:

Hearing drops suddenly in one or both ears, over minutes, hours or a few days
You wake up with a blocked feeling and reduced hearing that does not clear quickly
Hearing loss comes with dizziness, a spinning sensation or new ringing in one ear
You have ear pain with discharge

After a doctor has seen you, a full hearing assessment helps track your hearing over time. Hearing Tests Explained: The Main Types and What Each One Shows describes what the tests involve. You can book a hearing test without a referral, or contact us by phone or WhatsApp if you are unsure what to do first.

Frequently asked questions

Is sudden hearing loss the same as a blocked ear?

Not necessarily. Both can feel like a full or blocked ear, but sudden sensorineural hearing loss comes from the inner ear, while a blocked ear is usually caused by wax, water or congestion. You cannot reliably tell them apart at home, so a sudden drop in hearing should be checked by a doctor straight away.

Who should I see first?

See a doctor first, ideally an ENT doctor or an emergency department, as soon as possible. A hearing test is usually part of the assessment and can be arranged as your doctor advises. Do not wait for an audiology appointment if your hearing dropped suddenly.

Does sudden hearing loss always come back?

No. According to the NIDCD, about half of people recover some or all of their hearing spontaneously, usually within one to two weeks, but others do not. Treatment delayed beyond two to four weeks is less likely to help, which is why prompt medical care matters.

Sources

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Adult Hearing Tests & Assessment Ashfeera Ashraf